Reference metadata describe statistical concepts and methodologies used for the collection and generation of data. They provide information on data quality and, since they are strongly content-oriented, assist users in interpreting the data. Reference metadata, unlike structural metadata, can be decoupled from the data.
Bundesanstalt Statistik Österreich (Statistics Austria)
1.2. Contact organisation unit
Directorate Spatial Statistics
1.3. Contact name
Confidential because of GDPR
1.4. Contact person function
Confidential because of GDPR
1.5. Contact mail address
Guglgasse 13, 1110 Wien
1.6. Contact email address
Confidential because of GDPR
1.7. Contact phone number
Confidential because of GDPR
1.8. Contact fax number
Confidential because of GDPR
2.1. Metadata last certified
23 August 2023
2.2. Metadata last posted
29 March 2024
2.3. Metadata last update
30 April 2024
3.1. Data description
Economy-wide material flow accounts (EW-MFA) provide an aggregate overview, in thousand tonnes per year, of the material flows into and out of an economy. EW-MFA cover solid, gaseous, and liquid materials, except for bulk flows of water and air. Like the system of national accounts, EW-MFA constitute a multi-purpose information system. The detailed material flows provide a rich empirical database for numerous analytical purposes. Further, EW-MFA are used to derive various material flow indicators.
The National Statistical Institute (NSI) sent to Eurostat on yearly basis the EW-MFA. The accounts comprise the following reporting tables:
Table A 'Domestic extraction (DE)': records material flows from the environment into the economy in a detailed breakdown by type of material
Table B 'Imports - total imports (intra- and extra-EU) and Table D 'Exports – total exports (intra- and extra-EU)': These physical trade tables record the imports and exports of products in thousand tonnes and grouped by materials.
Table F 'Domestic processed output (DPO)': records material flows from the economy to the domestic environment (e.g. emissions to air, water and soil)
Table G 'Balancing items': reports some memorandum items which are necessary to have the full material balance related to a national economy
Table H 'Indicators': presents the EW-MFA derived indicators which are automatically calculated from Table A to G
Table I 'Material flow accounts in raw material equivalents (RME)': records material flow accounts in raw material equivalents (MFA-RME). Some items are calculated automatically based on data reported in Table A and Table I
3.2. Classification system
EW-MFA record physical flows of materials broken down by type of flow and by type of material.
The type of flow dimension corresponds to the EW-MFA questionnaire reporting tables and derived indicators, namely:
domestic extraction (Table A)
physical imports (Table B)
physical exports (Table D)
domestic processed output (Table F)
balancing items (Table G)
direct material input (indicator)
domestic material consumption (indicator)
physical trade balance (indicator)
The breakdown by type of material employs a classification of materials. This EW-MFA classification of materials is hierarchical with main material flow categories (1-digit level). Each main category is further broken down, maximal down to 4-digit-level:
1-digit: material category;
2-digit: material class;
3-digit: material group;
4-digit: material sub-group.
3.3. Coverage - sector
The data refer to national economies as defined in the system of national accounts.
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
Conceptually economy-wide material flow accounts (EW-MFA) belong to the international system of environmental economic accounting (SEEA-Central Framework). Furthermore, EW-MFA is one of several physical modules of Eurostat's programme on European environmental economic accounts. It is covered by Regulation (EU) No. 691/2011 on European environmental economic accounts.
EW-MFA are closely related to concepts and definitions of national accounts. Most notably they follow the residence principle, i.e. they record material flows related to resident unit's activities, regardless where those occur geographically.
Further methodological guidelines are provided in various publications by Eurostat (see Eurostat website > Environment > Methodology, heading: 'Material flows and resource productivity').
For more detailed information please see also 3.1.
3.5. Statistical unit
Statistical units change according to the different data sources (e.g. agriculture, forestry and fishery statistics, production statistics, geological surveys, energy statistics, foreign trade statistics etc.) which EW-MFA are based on.
3.6. Statistical population
EW-MFA refer to the entire national economy of the reporting country (see also 3.3 'Coverage - sector')).
EW-MFA include all materials (excluding water and air) crossing the system boundary (between the environment and the economy) on the input side or on the output side. The economy is demarcated by the conventions of the national accounting system (resident units).
Material inputs to the economy cover extractions of natural resources (excluding water and air) from the natural environment and imports of material products (goods) from the rest of the world economy (ROW).
Material outputs are disposals of materials to the natural environment and exports of material products and waste to the ROW. Information on natural resources extracted and traded products is provided by different statistical units.
3.7. Reference area
Austria
3.8. Coverage - Time
Please see the table in 3.8.1.
3.8.1. Coverage – Time: by questionnaire table
Questionnaire table
From (YEAR)
To (YEAR)
Comments
Domestic extraction (Table A)
2000
2023
Final data for all reference years.
Imports – Total trade (Table B)
2000
2023
Final data for all reference years.
Exports – Total trade (Table D)
2000
2023
Final data for all reference years.
Domestic processed output (Table F)
2000
2023
Final data for all reference years.
Balancing items (Table G)
2000
2023
Final data for all reference years.
Material flow accounts in raw material equivalents (RME) (Table I)
2008
2022
Final data for the years 2008 - 2022.
3.9. Base period
Not applicable because EW-MFA are not reported as indices.
The unit of measure is thousand tonnes.
The data refer to the calendar years.
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
Economy-wide material flow accounts (EW-MFA) are legally covered by Regulation (EU) 691/2011 on European Environmental Economic Accounts.
6.2. Institutional Mandate - data sharing
Not applicable in national level this information is required at European level only.
7.1. Confidentiality - policy
Article 17 of the Austrian Federal Statistics Act 2000 regulates the confidentiality of statistics. Article 19 of the Austrian Federal Statistics Act 2000 specifies rules for publication of statistics. According to it statistics shall be published in a manner that prevents any connection being made with statements concerning specific or identifiable data subjects unless the data subject concerned has no interest warranting protection in his/her data remaining confidential. In the event such connections cannot be ruled out, publication is subject to the explicit prior written consent of the data subject involved.
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
EW-MFA is an accounting system that makes use of already processed and anonymised data deriving from primary statistics. However, some of the data on imports and exports were obfuscated in order to prevent the disclosure of confidential aggregates.
8.1. Release calendar
Results of EW-MFA are published by the end of April (t +16).
Preliminary results are published by december (t + 12).
Results are disseminated to all users at the same time. Standard tables are free access – more detailed tables and special reports are with costs. At the moment results from tables F, G and I are only reported in the project report that is published on Statistics Austria’s webpage, but they are not available in Statistics Austria’s dissemination database STATcube.
Annual
10.1. Dissemination format - News release
No news releases.
10.2. Dissemination format - Publications
Results are published in the following Statistics Austria publication media:
Statistics Austria website – Environment, Statistische Nachrichten (in German only), Statistisches Jahrbuch Österreichs (contents and headings in English, otherwise in German only), Statistical Overviews.
The results are also forwarded to the contracting entity in the form of a project report – which is also published at the webpage.
10.3. Dissemination format - online database
Data from EW-MFA is disseminated in the online database STATcube on an annual basis – in German and English. This refers to data on domestic extraction, physicial imports and exports and indicators.
Data are sent to Eurostat to be released as national data and to be used in European aggregates.
Furthermore results are published in NAMEA and in the SDG tables.
10.5.1. Metadata - consultations
Will be calculated and provided by EUROSTAT.
10.6. Documentation on methodology
Metadata about methodology and quality is available in every paper and electronic publication. The most detailed documentation on methodology and quality is the so called "Standard Documentation", which is released on Statistics Austria's website. The Standard Documentation is available in German; the most important information is available in English as well. The Standard Documentation was last updated in April 2023.
Quality documentation is included in the Standard Documentation, See chapter 3.
11.1. Quality assurance
Statistics Austria is committed to ensuring the highest quality with respect to the compilation of statistical information. In accordance with the Federal Statistics Act (Article 24), Statistics Austria has to use statistical methods and processes in compliance with internationally recognised scientific principles and standards, conduct ongoing analyses of the statistics with a view to quality improvements and ensure that statistics are as up-to-date as possible. This commitment to quality is also specified in Statistics Austria’s mission statement. In adopting the European Statistics Code of Practice, Statistics Austria has committed to adhering to principles and standards for the production and dissemination of high-quality statistics. As part of the European Statistical System (ESS), Statistics Austria recognises the Quality Declaration of the ESS. The Statistics Council has set up a Quality Assurance Committee, a primary focus of which is the ongoing examination of potential quality improvements.
Statistics Austria uses standard-documentation to provide users with information about the underlying concepts, definitions, methods used and the quality of the statistics (meta-information) in a standardised format.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
In cooperation with the Statistic Committee’s Quality Assurance Committee, feedback meetings concerning the quality of the different statistical products are held regularly within the framework of Statistics Austria’s quality management programme. In addition internal quality audits are carried out by the quality management team. The content and objectives concern critical examination of the quality aspects of statistics with particular consideration of the methods and processes used; identification of quality improvement potential; development of recommendations for improvement measures; and improvement of the standard documentation relating to the statistics in question, with special attention to the views of users and external experts.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
Main users at the national level are Federal ministries, e.g. Federal Ministry of Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology (BMK), Federal Chancellery, Interest groups, Universities and non-university research institutes, e.g. Institute of Social Ecology (SEC), University of natural resources and life sciences (BOKU), Institute of Public Finance and Infrastructure Policy at Vienna University of Technology (IFIP), students.
Main international users are Eurostat, the OECD and the UN.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
Currently no satisfaction survey for environmental accounts is undertaken, but in cooperation with the Statistic Committee’s Quality Assurance Committee, feedback meetings concerning the quality of the different statistical products on the basis of the standard documentation are held regularly within the framework of Statistics Austria’s quality management programme. In these feedback meetings special attention is given to the views of users and external experts.
Additionally every two years the Advisory council for the environment gathers for a meeting. Results from ongoing work in environmental accounts is presented and discussed among experts.
12.3. Completeness
The dataset in principle is complete. Data on RME (table I) are only available at t+3 years.
12.3.1. Data completeness - rate
Will be calculated and provided by EUROSTAT.
13.1. Accuracy - overall
Annex 3 provides an assessment of the overall quality of the reported data.
Not applicable because data are not based on a sample survey.
13.2.1. Sampling error - indicators
Not applicable because data are not based on a sample survey.
13.3. Non-sampling error
Not applicable.
13.3.1. Coverage error
Not applicable.
13.3.1.1. Over-coverage - rate
Not applicable.
13.3.1.2. Common units - proportion
Not applicable.
13.3.2. Measurement error
Not applicable.
13.3.3. Non response error
Not applicable.
13.3.3.1. Unit non-response - rate
Not applicable.
13.3.3.2. Item non-response - rate
Not applicable.
13.3.4. Processing error
Not applicable.
13.3.5. Model assumption error
Model-related effects can occur as regards the following items:
estimation of the amount of sand and gravel
estimation of the grazed biomass
adaption of the fuel consumption to the domestic concept
calculation of the balancing items
calculation of raw material equivalents
The estimation methods used comply with the Eurostat-Guidance.
14.1. Timeliness
Final results: T+16 months.
Preliminary results are compiled at T+12 months.
14.1.1. Time lag - first result
Preliminary results are compiled at T+12 months.
14.1.2. Time lag - final result
Final results: T+16 months
14.2. Punctuality
Not applicable.
14.2.1. Punctuality - delivery and publication
Will be calculated and provided by EUROSTAT.
15.1. Comparability - geographical
Data on EW-MFA are compiled according to harmonised guidelines provided by Eurostat and hence comparable across European countries reporting EW-MFA data to Eurostat.
15.1.1. Asymmetry for mirror flow statistics - coefficient
Not applicable because physical imports and exports as recorded in EW-MFA are not specified by origin and/or destination.
15.2. Comparability - over time
Please see the table in 15.2.1.1.
15.2.1. Length of comparable time series
Will be calculated and provided by EUROSTAT.
15.2.1.1. Comparability - over time detailed
Please use below table for explaining b)-flags (breaks in time series):
Year (of the break in series)
Questionnaire table(s)
MF-code(s)
Reason for' break in time series'
2000
A, B, D
all MF. codes
For the validation purpose, Eurostat filled in the questionnaire for the period 1990-1999 with the previous validated data, the time series starts with 2000.
2011
B, D
Stage of Manufacturing (raw products, semi-finished products, finished products).
Until 2011, there were Eurostat estimates. Starting with 2011, data were reported by the country due to the changes in methodology.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
The accounting framework of EW-MFA is consistent with the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA-CF) adopted by the United Nations Statistical Commission as a world-level statistical standard in March 2012. EW-MFA are consistent with the European system of accounts (ESA) and hence suited to be combined with ESA aggregates.
Data source to determine DE of timber and fuelwood is the Timber Felling Report (TFR). The TFR only reports wood removals from forest. Some fuelwood is also extracted from other sites such as parks, shelter belts or gardens. Data on DE of MF.1.3.2. fuelwood not covered in the TFR is estimated based on energy balances.
15.3.1. Coherence - sub annual and annual statistics
Not applicable; reported EW-MFA data are only annual.
15.3.2. Coherence - National Accounts
The reported EW-MFA is consistent with ESA.
15.4. Coherence - internal
Internal consistency is 100% in table A, B, D, H and I. Memo item MF.7.2. in table F has a different source for the years 2000 – 2003.
Reg. (EC) No 223/2009 on European statistics stipulates cost effectiveness as statistical principle; however, there is no legal obligation to provide cost and burden information in quality reports. Such an obligation is also not covered by sectoral legislation. Due to the fact that consistent standards and definitions for cost reporting are currently not available and are yet to be developed by the RDG-expert group there is a high risk of misrepresentation and distortions when comparing costs of statistics production across countries. Statistics Austria will, hence, not provide any cost information until agreed harmonised reporting standards are in place.
EW-MFA is dependent on basic statistics. In case there are revisions in basic statistics they are performed in EW-MFA as well. Usually the whole time series is revised in order to avoid breaks. From time to time larger revisions have to be carried out. These revisions are well explained in the respective project report and are usually discussed with relevant experts beforehand.
The most important methodological change is, that for the reporting of the EW-MFA in 2025, the data on raw material equivalents (Table I) was for the first time calculated using the Eurostat country tool instead of the Autrian national tool. The whole time series in the table I were revised.
Minor revisions took place due to revisions of basic statistics used.
17.2.1. Data revision - average size
Will be calculated and provided by EUROSTAT.
18.1. Source data
Data sources used to produce economy-wide material flow accounts are described in the sub-chapters 18.1.1 (and Annex) and 18.1.2.
18.1.1. Source data - Table A, B, D, F and G
Annex 1 provides detailed data sources for questionnaire tables A, B, D, F and G.
The data on RMEs for the Table I were calculated using the Eurostat country RME tool.
The Country RME tool and input data from November 2024 were used for the calculation.
In March 2025 Eurostat updated selected import and export coefficients of the tool. These updates were taken into account.
18.2. Frequency of data collection
Annually
18.3. Data collection
No surveys conducted in EW-MFA.
18.4. Data validation
The results from the basic statistics for the whole data series are compared with the previous year. In case of deviations that are not explained in the publications, the compilers of the statistics are contacted. The same is true if there is no obvious reason for a deviation for the reporting year.
Totals on non-metallic minerals are compared between PRODCOM and mining statistics. The wood felling report is compared with data on fuelwood in energy statistics. The estimation of grazed biomass is compared with an estimation performed by a research institute. Data on DPO deriving from international databases are compared with national publications.
18.5. Data compilation
Results of various basic statistics are used for the compilation of Material Flow Accounts following the guidance and using the correspondence tables provided by Eurostat.
Calculation models and estimation methods are used in particular where material flows that are not or not fully evaluated economically make a significant contribution to the total material use, such as mineral raw material for construction or grazed biomass.
18.5.3. Adjustment used of correspondence table for Tables B and D
Eurostat’s correspondence table is used to assign traded goods.
18.5.4. Adjustment used of conversion factors for Tables B and D
No conversion factors are used. Conversion is performed by trade statistics.
18.5.5. Fuel trade, residence adjustment
The adjustment of the fossil fuels to the residence principle is carried out analogously to the calculations of the air emission accounts.
The time series was calculated back to the year 2000 by building a bridge table between energy balances and energy accounts.
Joules are converted into tonnes using the same conversion factors as used for the energy balances.
18.5.6. Significant problems
Principally, PRODCOM data are not used for DE of minerals because PRODCOM reports data on minerals after the first step of production.
Instead, data on extraction of minerals from the national mining statistics are taken in most cases. However, the values on sand and gravel are too low because, in some cases, there is no obligation to report these numbers for the mining survey.
Therefore, data on sand and gravel are based on the production statistics and additional estimations are made to cover small companies and companies in the trade and transport sector.
Production of contruction aggregates out of excavated soils is taken into account in the estimation.
For comparison purposes an additional estimation is made using the Eurostat tool, which estimates sand and gravel required for the production of concrete and sand and gravel for road layers.
The results of the calculations are also compared with the national Mining Statistics, which are assumed to have about 80% coverage for sand and gravel.
18.6. Adjustment
Not applicable; i.e. in EW-MFA no time series adjustment necessary.
18.6.1. Seasonal adjustment
Not applicable.
No further comment.
Economy-wide material flow accounts (EW-MFA) provide an aggregate overview, in thousand tonnes per year, of the material flows into and out of an economy. EW-MFA cover solid, gaseous, and liquid materials, except for bulk flows of water and air. Like the system of national accounts, EW-MFA constitute a multi-purpose information system. The detailed material flows provide a rich empirical database for numerous analytical purposes. Further, EW-MFA are used to derive various material flow indicators.
The National Statistical Institute (NSI) sent to Eurostat on yearly basis the EW-MFA. The accounts comprise the following reporting tables:
Table A 'Domestic extraction (DE)': records material flows from the environment into the economy in a detailed breakdown by type of material
Table B 'Imports - total imports (intra- and extra-EU) and Table D 'Exports – total exports (intra- and extra-EU)': These physical trade tables record the imports and exports of products in thousand tonnes and grouped by materials.
Table F 'Domestic processed output (DPO)': records material flows from the economy to the domestic environment (e.g. emissions to air, water and soil)
Table G 'Balancing items': reports some memorandum items which are necessary to have the full material balance related to a national economy
Table H 'Indicators': presents the EW-MFA derived indicators which are automatically calculated from Table A to G
Table I 'Material flow accounts in raw material equivalents (RME)': records material flow accounts in raw material equivalents (MFA-RME). Some items are calculated automatically based on data reported in Table A and Table I
30 April 2024
Conceptually economy-wide material flow accounts (EW-MFA) belong to the international system of environmental economic accounting (SEEA-Central Framework). Furthermore, EW-MFA is one of several physical modules of Eurostat's programme on European environmental economic accounts. It is covered by Regulation (EU) No. 691/2011 on European environmental economic accounts.
EW-MFA are closely related to concepts and definitions of national accounts. Most notably they follow the residence principle, i.e. they record material flows related to resident unit's activities, regardless where those occur geographically.
Further methodological guidelines are provided in various publications by Eurostat (see Eurostat website > Environment > Methodology, heading: 'Material flows and resource productivity').
For more detailed information please see also 3.1.
Statistical units change according to the different data sources (e.g. agriculture, forestry and fishery statistics, production statistics, geological surveys, energy statistics, foreign trade statistics etc.) which EW-MFA are based on.
EW-MFA refer to the entire national economy of the reporting country (see also 3.3 'Coverage - sector')).
EW-MFA include all materials (excluding water and air) crossing the system boundary (between the environment and the economy) on the input side or on the output side. The economy is demarcated by the conventions of the national accounting system (resident units).
Material inputs to the economy cover extractions of natural resources (excluding water and air) from the natural environment and imports of material products (goods) from the rest of the world economy (ROW).
Material outputs are disposals of materials to the natural environment and exports of material products and waste to the ROW. Information on natural resources extracted and traded products is provided by different statistical units.
Austria
The data refer to the calendar years.
Annex 3 provides an assessment of the overall quality of the reported data.
Results of various basic statistics are used for the compilation of Material Flow Accounts following the guidance and using the correspondence tables provided by Eurostat.
Calculation models and estimation methods are used in particular where material flows that are not or not fully evaluated economically make a significant contribution to the total material use, such as mineral raw material for construction or grazed biomass.
Data sources used to produce economy-wide material flow accounts are described in the sub-chapters 18.1.1 (and Annex) and 18.1.2.
Annual
Final results: T+16 months.
Preliminary results are compiled at T+12 months.
Data on EW-MFA are compiled according to harmonised guidelines provided by Eurostat and hence comparable across European countries reporting EW-MFA data to Eurostat.
